Portland’s Gard Strang Acquires Gerber Advertising

Gard Strang Edwards & Aldridge in Portland, Ore., has bought a majority stake in one of the oldest independent agencies in Portland, Gerber Advertising. Gard Strang president Duncan Strang has replaced Phil Stevens as president of Gerber, and will divide his time between managing the day-to-day operations of the two agencies. Stevens, who has been with the Gerber for the past 26 years, has been named the agency’s chairman. Elaine Miller, Gerber executive vice president and a board member, is also now chief operating officer of that agency. The agencies are independent corporations and will continue to operate separately for the time being, Strang said. “There could be some sharing of services down the road,” he added. –Angela Dawson